Page 102 of The Winter of Second Chances
Dusk was laying its gossamer blanket over land and sea, making the cliffs at the farthest end of the promenade from her seem fuzzy and indistinct. Despite the salt-bite of the wind and the cold damp eking into her tights, or maybe because of it, Annie felt invigorated. There was nothing as nice as a walk in the cold when you knew you had a warm home waiting for you at the end of it. This led her to thinking about Alfred. She wondered how much longer before he gave up the coast for a winter in the city. John was right, of course: sleeping rough was no way for anyone to live, let alone an older person. She wondered how she could make Alfred’s cafe sleeps more comfortable. Perhaps she could invest in a camp bed that she could keep in the cellar during the day. Annie was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t see Ely loom out of the shadows.
‘It’s that kind of behaviour that labels you as a towny,’ said Ely. He was standing in front of her, looking down with distaste at Tiggs’s harness and lead. Mrs Tiggy-Winkle looked up at him and meowed weakly as if she couldn’t agree more.
‘She hasn’t been out since she arrived at the Nook,’ said Annie. ‘I thought it would be good for her to get to know her surroundings before I let her out by herself.’
‘Got its own mobile phone as well no doubt,’ said Ely, still eyeing Tiggs.
Annie laughed.
‘I’m not quite that bad. But she is chipped.’
Ely looked at Annie as though she was completely off her rocker and shook his head.
‘I was just coming to see you. Had a call from Billy’s mum, said you’d offered him a job and needed me to be a reference as to his character.’
‘Oh, yes, Billy. He’s having a trial with me on Saturday.’
‘You could do worse than Billy. He’s a good boy. Had a tough start. He can be a handful but only when he’s not occupied.’
‘So, do you think he’d be good at the cafe?’
‘He’ll work hard and he’ll give respect if it’s given to him.’
Annie hoped that wouldn’t be a problem; customers were not always famed for their respect for staff. Something about entering a catering establishment caused the nicest of people to behave like complete arseholes.
‘Well,’ said Annie. ‘He can have a trial on Saturday, and we’ll see how he gets on.’
‘Right. I’ll be off then, night fishing tonight.’
‘In this?’
‘It’s as good a night as any,’ Ely replied. ‘You started thinking about the Christmas Festival yet?’
‘The Christmas Festival?’
‘Don’t tell me no one’s told you yet!’
‘Let’s just suppose they haven’t,’ said Annie.
‘It’s only the biggest event of the year, aside from the winter solstice and Christmas, and then, of course, there’s the Wassailing but that’s not till Twelfth Night, so you don’t need to worry about that yet.’
For the love of God!Annie thought.How many parties can one village have?
‘A bit of carol singing or something, is it?’ Annie asked.
Ely laughed until he broke into phlegmy coughs. Annie waited for him to recover.
‘A bit of carol singing,’ he stammered, wiping his eyes. ‘Well, I suppose there’s a bit of that to it. You won’t want to miss it. In fact, now that the Nook’s open for business again, you’ll be hosting it!’
And with that he offered his goodbyes and set off down the beach. The sound of his wellingtons trampling the stones could be heard long after his body was swallowed by the sea mist.
‘Well, bugger me!’ said Annie. ‘I’d better spend some time with Mari’s almanac.’
Mrs Tiggy-Winkle shook herself, her fur clumping in the damp air, and let out a whine that could have woken the spirits of the long-departed Willow Bay sailors.
‘Come on then, fusspot,’ said Annie fondly. ‘Home.’
Winters can feel quite isolating for a small village, after the holidaymakers have left and the weather has set in, so we never give it the chance. You can be frightened by the wild dark of winter or meet it head on and welcome it in, and we Willow Bayers never shy away from a challenge!
